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Cambria man admits to manslaughter in Niagara Falls beating

Donald M. Sinclair, whose beating of a Niagara Falls man last year led to brain injuries that caused the victim's death nine months later, pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree manslaughter.

Cameron Weingartner died May 26 after spending nearly nine months in the hospital following an assault in Niagara Falls.

Sinclair, 38, of Burch Road, Cambria, pleaded guilty after State Supreme Court Justice Richard C. Kloch Sr. pledged to send him to prison for no more than 15 years. The legal maximum for the charge is 25 years. Kloch, who must give Sinclair at least five years behind bars, scheduled sentencing Jan. 16 and allowed Sinclair to remain free on $100,000 bail.

Sinclair attacked Cameron M. Weingartner, 44, on the victim's front porch at 69th Street and Edison Avenue in the Falls on Aug. 30, 2016. The victim, a father of four, remained mostly unresponsive until his death May 26 in Erie County Medical Center.

Niagara County Deputy District Attorney Doreen M. Hoffmann declined comment on the reason for the assault.